Understanding Your Results
A standard lipid profile includes several key markers that determine your risk for cardiovascular disease:
- Total Cholesterol: The sum of all cholesterol types. Ideally below 200 mg/dL.
- HDL (Good): Helps remove excess cholesterol. Higher is better (>60 mg/dL).
- LDL (Bad): Can build up in artery walls. Lower is better (<100 mg/dL).
- Triglycerides: A type of fat in the blood. Ideally below 150 mg/dL.
[!IMPORTANT] LDL can also be estimated using the Friedewald formula: LDL = Total - HDL - (Triglycerides / 5). This calculator uses your directly measured values if provided.